Former amateur players to join the legal fight over brain injuries

A group of 35 former amateur players claim they are suffering neurological impairments, including early-onset dementia, caused by playing the game.

Former Wales captain Ryan Jones, pictured in action against the Wallabies in 2012, has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Picture: AAP Image

A group of 35 former amateur rugby union players are to bring proceedings against the sport’s authorities next month, claiming they are suffering from brain injuries and early-onset dementia.

In a widening of the legal challenge to rugby’s governing bodies, the 30 men and five women claim they are suffering from neurological impairments caused by playing the game.

Proceedings were issued last month against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union by a large group of former players from the professional and semi-professional game. Among the former professionals involved is the ex-Wales captain Ryan Jones, 41, who has had early-onset dementia diagnosed.

One of the 35 amateurs, Alex Abbey, 48, said that he had had probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) diagnosed, which has caused him to give up his job as a teacher, and affects his speech, hearing, mobility and continence. He believes being knocked out 13 times as a player is the cause of his condition, which can only be formally identified via a post-mortem examination.

The five women all played at international level, but before the game turned semi-professional.

Among the former professionals involved is the ex-Wales captain Ryan Jones, pictured in 2012, who has had early-onset dementia diagnosed. Picture: AAP Image

World Rugby insists research shows that players in the amateur game suffer significantly fewer injuries than in the professional game.

Richard Boardman, of Rylands Legal, said the firm was representing 200 ex-rugby union players in total and 85 from rugby league. The firm decided to split the claims into those from the professional and semi-professional game, and those who only played at amateur level.

Mr Boardman said: “We allege that there has been a systematic failure by the governing bodies to protect adult players from concussive and sub-concussive injuries, including in the amateur game.

“It does not matter what level of rugby you have played at: the brain is a brain, which cannot be strengthened like a bicep, and thus needs adequate protection and respect. We represent amateur players who are struggling with neurological impairments as a result of playing the sport, such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, CTE, epilepsy and post-concussion syndrome. This group is as seriously impacted as the elite game.”

Abbey played for Newton-le-Willows, near Warrington, and for Lancashire’s county team at youth level. “I was the youngest player to play for the senior first team when I was about 15 and I played up until I was 23, and in the 10 years before I stopped playing I had 18-plus complete knockouts,” he said.

“I am convinced that my condition was caused by that and I have not allowed my children to play rugby.”

A spokesman for World Rugby said: “It has been incredibly tough to hear the accounts from former players over the last few weeks and months. We have yet to receive any formal court filings, and the legal action being brought against us means we cannot comment on players’ specific circumstances.

“However, we are focused on continuing to make rugby the most progressive sport in the world when it comes to player welfare. Our work will continue at pace despite these latest potential legal developments.”

– The Times